Too Big to Dance

by Doug Anderson, Sara Anderson (Illustrator)

When the wind blows through Alligator Acres, in a far corner of Crawdad County, it is sure to carry a story with it. This is one of those stories -- the tale of Eloise, the gentle zebra. Eloise was just a bit too big to join in the jamming down at the juke joint, the one where Corndog Willie and the Slackjaws were playing up a storm. She's fortunate to have such good friends as gracious Cecil, the 'gator, and Woo, the considerate armadillo, who set matters right.
Musician and philosopher Doug Anderson and artist Sara Anderson have collaborated in a lyrical ballad of community which celebrates friendship and loyalty, and echoes the energy, rhythm, and twang of a bayou Zydeco band. A strong sense of place is conveyed in the bold composition and spry language which meld with the deep greens and blues of the bayou.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun tale about friendship in Crawdad County in the bayou country. The narrative is short and fun to read aloud and the illustrations are so colorful, with a festive theme. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[The Ink Sipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a cute little book that shows how reaching out to someone who feels left out can not only change the day for them, but bring a new experience for others too, and how easy it is to reach out.

The names of the characters are cute, but younger readers may need guidance with them, as they're not the normal 'John' names (which is refreshing to me). Over all we enjoyed this story and its message.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet book about helping others feel welcome. The Cajun-bayou cultural aspects could be used to spark kids' interest in the region. The illustrations are colorful, with bold contrasts that are sure to grab their attention. Overall, a wonderful picture book.

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is frequently in the before-bedtime reading rotation when I babysit. The rhymes are fun, the story is meaningful, and the illustrations are fantastic.